Philadelphia was my birth place, and I have lived in Pennsylvania all my life, mostly in picturesque Chester county.

I grew up with a passion to make things with my hands. Picture framing which I began in 1980, was an immediate love. I had always been interested in glass work, and I started with stained glass in 1983.

After starting a family and rehabbing two houses, I began Unique Pewter which started out as a collection of various pewter themed necklaces with a mixed media of pewter, glass and semi precious stones. My original designs ranged from animals, angels, whimsical teapots, nautical themes, hearts, flowers, and holiday themes. Almost immediately I recognized a market for my work and began exhibiting at art and craft shows. During the next several years my business grew as I exhibited at over one hundred shows in 5 states.

My first business venture was a mail order business, which grew into an internet site in 1998. In 2000 I opened a store and spent 7 years as a retailer in Malvern, Pa, first at 13 East King street, and then with an antique co-op and gift store called The Shops at the Olde Malvern Firehouse. There “Come Bead with Me” evolved which was where I began teaching jewelry making to kids and adults and learning the art of glass bead making. While operating my business in Malvern I became involved with the Malvern Business Association. During that time I was instrumental in developing and promoting several juried art festivals for the town of Malvern. It was at this time that I realized that my passion was in working with other artists.

My business has exhibited in over 500 shows in the last 15 years. As an artist, I continue to develop my skills through education in advanced glass working, designing fine jewelry, and restoration of antique and vintage jewelry. We have also recently launched our e-commerce web site to allow our customers the ability to purchase our designs and products from the convenience of their homes. One of the exceptional qualities of our business is that we offer free shipping to our customers throughout the USA.

Today I am inspired to create and blend colors that I see in nature around me. I do this through the use of my torch and kiln blending spectacular colors to make that "one of a kind " piece that I incorporate with my pewter castings.

Sincerely

Amy T. James